The American EAS system serves two purposes, as an early warning system and as a method of communications in the aftermath of an incident. Warning of impending storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and other bad weather as well as giving evacuation orders as a result of a major wildfire are examples of an early warning system. Using EAS for AMBER alerts and giving evacuation orders as a result of an accident that has taken place are examples of using EAS in the aftermath of an incident. I do not feel that EAS can provide an efficient early warning of earthquakes. This is because the United States lacks the infrastructure to provide expedient early warnings of earthquakes such as the system currently being used in Japan.

Earlier this week, the FCC, on it's own motion eliminated several obsolete rules from Parts 1, 73 and 76. Some of the rules included those related to the TV "broadcast flag" which was intended to thwart piracy as well as the so-called "Fairness Doctrine".

The "Fairness Doctrine" was one of the last of the regulations on the book that made broadcasters accountable to the communities that they are licensed to. Unenforced for the past few decades, the Fairness Doctrine required broadcasters to air opposing viewpoints to commentary made over the air.

The FCC has informed REC late Friday afternoon that a Public Notice will be issued that officially announces the comment deadline dates. In addition, the FCC will also publish the parameters and programs used to determine the availability of LPFM channels, which is being used as a basis to determine the disposition of thousands of pending Auction 83 FM Translator applications. This data was requested by REC and other parties who have been in contact with REC since our motion was filed last Friday morning after the NPRM was published in the Federal Register.

The Third NPRM for the Low Power FM Radio Service (MM Docket 99-25) and the Scope of Translators proceeding (MB Docket 07-172) has been published in the Federal Register. This will start the clock on the comment period.

Comments are due: August 29, 2011.
Reply comments due: September 12, 2011.

Comments may be filed electronically through the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).

REC will be issuing opinions on the aspects of the NPRM at a later time.

In reply comments to the FCC on MB Docket 11-83 (Economic impact of LPFM to full service broadcasting), REC affirms the position that the economic impact to full service broadcasting stations by LPFM broadcasting stations would be extremely minimal. REC goes on to mention that the economic impact faced by LPFM broadcasters due to the actions of full service broadcasters such as facility moves to improve market share and make the full service station more profitable far exceeds any perceived economic "harm" caused by LPFM stations.